(The Forgotten Circus is the pilot film for the ‘Forgotten Trilogy’).

In 2008 Shelly became artist in residence at Circus Space the circus arts school in London and was commissioned to make a film with their students. Shelly worked with the students over a two-week period to devise, choreograph and shoot the film. The result of this creatively rich collaboration is a visually sumptuous poetic feast, where forms merge and melt into the world of ‘The Forgotten Circus’. Gerard Bell stars as The Ringmaster. A regular in Shelly’s films, Gerard appears alongside Shelly in their first film together, ‘Delia and George’.

The soundtrack to the film was composed by Jamie McDermott and ‘The Irrepressibles’. This collaboration resulted in the EP/DVD release of ‘From The Circus to the Sea’ a limited edition box featuring the film and sound track. To be found on Rough Trades ‘Most Wanted’ shelf.

The Forgotten Circus marks the beginnings of future collaborations with The Irrepressibles and Circus Space and is the pilot film for a future ‘Forgotten Trilogy’. The Forgotten Circus was funded by Circus Space and Arts Council England and was produced by MJW productions.

Comments :

“… The Forgotten Circus is one of the most stunning, beautifully compelling films I have ever seen.  The juxtaposition of whimsy with brevity is thought consuming and inspiring.  Apocalypse as performance.  It resonated in notions of war, breath, humanity and hysteria.  The idea that an aesthetic of silent film could be turned on its end to create something that is wholly contemporary is amazing.  The colors and use of light is beyond compare.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart and recesses of my mind..”- John Moletress Director of ‘Factory 449’. Washington D.C.

“.. I cannot refrain from writing to you to thank for this incredibly touching and unexpectedly sincere film you have created …for me it was a truly amazing experience…” - Aloha Filkov, Moscow, Russia

“… I had to let you know how entranced I am by your work 'The Forgotten Circus'. I can't tell you how beautiful I find it…. I'm sure you're on the cusp of being more widely known and it will be truly deserved. ..” – Stephen Price - South Wales

“..I just stumbled across your film, The Forgotten Circus.... It moved me deeply and profoundly in an inexplicable way….I just felt the need to express appreciation for the breath-taking beauty in the choreography and thought-provoking emotion of the performance captured on film and music....I really wish I could put into words what made the film so brilliant. The moments of what can only be described as chaotic stillness were almost transcendent. Just wow. I am rarely at a loss for words...” – Kirsten Hunter

 “..Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful!!!!!!! So uniquely creative and hauntingly beautiful! ...” - Dora Villanueva

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